DEI initiatives are alive and well at Public Service Enterprise Group, which proudly released its second annual Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Report last week.
The report details the company’s progress and ongoing efforts to recruit and develop talent representing our diverse region, build a culture that respects and celebrates all of its 12,500 employees and be a positive force for the many communities it serves.
PSEG said it believes that no one can be defined by any one characteristic — and that the company is working to understand and support the unique needs of its customers and communities by investing in communities and addressing barriers to economic prosperity, equity and social justice.
Of the many notables, the company reported that 84% of employees who participated in PSEG’s 2022 Employee Experience Survey agreed that diverse types of people — that is, people with different backgrounds, ages or opinions — are able to work well together at PSEG.
This is particularly important at a time of transition for the company, which is moving to more clean energy options, Chair and CEO Ralph LaRossa said.
“Transitioning to a cleaner energy future requires employees who have the right skills, bring us new ideas and understand the needs and perspectives of the many communities we serve,” he said. “By embracing our diverse experiences and thoughts, we make PSEG stronger. And that is a win for our employees, for our customers and for our shareholders.”
Sheila Rostiac, PSEG’s chief human resources and diversity officer, agreed.
“As we continue our work, one thing I recognize is that no one can be defined by any one characteristic,” she said. “We are all shaped by our unique experiences and backgrounds, and we bring those things to work with us. At PSEG, ‘Inclusion for All’ means just that — for everyone.”
Everyone includes those who don’t work directly for the company.
PSEG, which spent more than $1 billion on goods and services from diverse suppliers in 2022, a 35% increase from 2021, clearly is aligning its spend with its values.
In 2022 and 2023, the company added more than 3,000 new hires.
LaRossa and Rostiac said the company is working to break down barriers to employment by carefully reviewing job descriptions to eliminate any unnecessary job requirements.
The company also welcomed more than 150 interns in 2023, including 16 students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Hispanic-Serving Institutions.
The emphasis and impact is felt on numerous levels.
Michael Garcia, a senior field collections representative and vice president of Utility Workers Union of America, Local 601, said he sees it every day.
“Our customers represent cultures from around the world, so we work to help ensure our customer service representatives have the skills to engage with them and serve their needs,” he said. “Participating in community service projects is one way we can all learn more about different cultures and it can also help us understand one another better.”
